Neuroscience

Description

Neuroscience is the study of the functioning of the nervous system, both in health and disease, and is one of the most exciting and dynamic areas of modern biomedical research.

The topic ranges from understanding the molecular, biochemical and cellular events that underpin communication between nerve cells, through to the execution of complex behaviours such as playing a piano. Higher cognitive functions, such as learning, memory and emotions ultimately depend upon cellular and neuronal networks that neuroscience endeavours to reveal and explain. The discipline grows in importance to society as the aged proportion of the population increases, bringing new challenges in the treatment and management of neurological disorders.

Discovering how drugs influence our mood and behaviour is also essential in developing new treatments for conditions such as anxiety and depression and in the better management of drug addiction.

Modern neuroscience is not an isolated discipline. It integrates the inputs of, for example, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, psychology and psychiatry to address the normal and abnormal functioning of the nervous system.

Our course emphasises such inputs, and offers a balance between molecular and cellular aspects of the subject and systems and clinical neuroscience.

Clinical involvement

A major strength of the programme in the Honours year is its emphasis upon clinically relevant aspects of the discipline and coverage of behaviours and neurological conditions that by their prevalence or severe morbidity are issues of concern to society.

In this respect, many course units benefit from the active involvement of medical doctors, bringing a therapeutic perspective to our Honours degree programme.

Research-led teaching

Our staff are at the cutting-edge of neuroscience research. Third and fourth year lectures are delivered by acknowledged experts in their field.

Graduates in Neuroscience pursue a variety of careers that utilise their specialist knowledge, or more generally draw upon the analytical and organisational skills developed in their training.

Furthermore, a degree in Neuroscience, in common with many other Life Science degrees, can provide a qualification for graduate entry to Medicine or Dentistry.

Specific career paths for Neuroscience graduates include: academic research in universities, institutes and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Opportunities also exist in medical/scientific information, the media, and publishing.

UCAS Code: B140

Detailed Course Facts

The fees you pay will, in most cases, depend on your current country of residence.

The fee shown is annual, and may be subject to an increase each year.

Fee category

Fees for students starting September 2015

Scottish students

£1,820 per year of study (for Sept 2014 entry). Fees for September 2015 will be confirmed by the Scottish Government in early 2015.

Rest of UK students

£9,000 per year, for a maximum of 3 years, even if you are studying a four year degree. See our scholarships for rest of UK applicants.

EU students

£1,820 per year of study (for Sept 2014 entry). Fees for September 2015 will be confirmed by the Scottish Government in early 2015.

Overseas students (non-EU)

£15,950 per year of study. See our scholarships for international applicants.

• English

Course Content

Typical Degree Programme

Levels 1 and 2

All Life Sciences degree programmes share common core modules at Level 1 that provide a general introduction to the life sciences through an integrated programme of lectures, tutorials, practical work and field excursions.

Please refer to the Biological/Biomedical Sciences degree structure and overview webpage for details of the common curriculum in Levels 1 and 2.

Level 3

At Level 3 you specialise in neuroscience, and choose additional subjects that interest you to study alongside your main subject. You will develop your knowledge and skills in the following aspects of neuroscience:

• Peripheral and central nervous system neuroscience and pharmacology
• Common mechanisms of cell signalling
• Basic principles of drug receptor interactions
• Aspects of molecular neuroscience and pharmacology
• Summer work placements

Many students take advantage of opportunities for summer work placements, normally between Levels 3 and 4, which are available as externally-funded competitive placements, or as voluntary laboratory work.

Level 4

Your studies at Level 4 will be at the level of current research in your chosen subject area.Advanced study of topics in neuroscience currently include:

• Sensational channels – the transient receptor potential family
• Neurodegenerative disorders
• Molecular mechanisms of learning and memory
• Neuroanatomy and neuropathology
• Analgesics and anaesthetics
• Psychobiology and treatment of mental illness
• Faints and fits – a neurological disorder
• Neurobiology of drug addiction

Your studies will involve extensive use of scientific literature and the opportunity to attend a regular programme of seminars given by invited speakers from Britain and abroad.

Research project - several formats are available including laboratory-based research under the supervision of a leading scientist, computer modelling, multimedia teaching packages, literature and electronic database review.

All modules are assessed by a combination of in-course and end-of-course procedures. Regular in-course assessments (e.g. practical reports, computer-based exercises, essays and data processing exercises) provide feedback on your progress and help you prepare for end-of-module examinations.

On-line assignments are used extensively at Levels 1 and 2, with access via a PC on or off campus. Peer assessment operates in many team projects.

Requirements

See website for Full Details

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Dundee.